1928 Committee Moves Town Hall Renovation Forward: Cupola Complete, Windows Nearing Finish, Elevator Slips A Bit
The 1928 Committee moved briskly through approvals and progress reports at its latest meeting, closing with a unanimous decision to cancel the Sept. 9 session and meet on Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m., followed by a hard-hat walk-through of the new Town Hall. 🛠️
Routine Business
- Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance.
- Minutes: July 20 minutes approved; one member noted an absence.
- Correspondence: None.
- Reports:
- Chair: Work “moving along nicely,” with specific praise for the cupola and craftsmanship.
- Town Council (Joe): Summer recess, “all quiet.”
- FHS (Mr. Fagan): “Cruise control,” central office moving along; invoices approved as needed.
Design, FF&E, and Subcommittee Notes
- The project is entering FF&E planning—furnishings, fixtures, equipment, and technology—with meetings expected within the next month or two so furniture installation aligns with building turnover.
- Furniture will be a mix of new and existing items moved from the current Town Hall.
- An interior design subcommittee previously met (Jack served). Membership and next steps will be clarified.
Construction Progress (KBE)
- Cupola: Complete; scaffolding removed “as of yesterday.”
- Windows: ~80% installed.
- Cast Stone Replacement: Prep complete; stone en route; work in the next couple weeks.
- Third Floor: Walls primed and first-coated; chair rails and window sills going in; ceiling grids to start soon, then progress downward.
- Second Floor: Chair rails in; drywall surrounds at windows; ductwork in storage room.
- First Floor (Gym): In-wall inspection passed; insulation going in; floor inspection targeted for Friday to begin drywall.
- New Addition: Steel and three lower roof areas complete.
- Restrooms: New restroom forming passed inspection; drywall hung.
- Casework: Contractor installing corridor chair rails.
- Windows Replacement Scope: “All” except several half-rounds.
Contractor coordination requests: Early notice for end-user requirements, FF&E deliveries, and elevator access for inspections once ceiling grids are in.
Elevator Timing
- Original install target: Sept. 25.
- Update received before the meeting: A delay of a couple of weeks is likely; the team has not yet accepted the push.
- Recovery plan: Nights/weekends work to maintain overall schedule. In the meantime, stairs remain in service. 🧗
Financials, Contingency, and Change Orders
Budget & Contingency
- Routine updates to line items and contingency logs.
- Contingency used: ~46%.
- Forecast of pending items: $68,333.31 (subject to change).
- Contingency remaining (including forecast): $314,849.59.
Invoices Approved
- Silver Petruzzelli (Architect): $23,077.78 for services through July 31.
- IMTL (Materials Testing): $1,885 (reviewed by Mason).
- J.I. Belluccio (Site Work): Two applications: $59,897.50 and $32,852.90.
- KBE (Application #6): $1,718,911.59 (internally reviewed and architect-approved).
Change Orders Approved
- Basement infills following boiler removal and prior ductwork abatement: $4,106.54.
- Storm drainage increase (gym roof) from 4-inch to 6-inch: $8,000.
- Arc-fault breaker (state fire marshal/vault requirement): $1,039.50.
- HVAC ductwork—shift to all new system rather than mixed new/existing: $62,481.10.
- Note: Multiple site meetings, calls, and reviews preceded this figure. The team emphasized better long-term value and elimination of testing/inspection complications on old fire dampers.
- Dome substructure repairs discovered under the copper during removal; Elite rebuilt in ~2.5 days: $11,514.88.
- Handrails in stairwells retained and refinished rather than replaced: credit of $6,888.80.
- Wall thickness increase to match conditions: $3,044.55.
- Additional precast stone replacement (approximately 20 stones, largely under windows) to avoid future failures: $21,600.
Community Updates and Communications
- Staff will prepare a photo-driven project update for the October Town Letter; a cupola shot is requested. 📸
- Interior colors exist; finalization is “top secret” for now.
- Cast stone swapping to begin “in a couple/three weeks.”
Next Meetings
- Sept. 9: Canceled.
- Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m.: Regular business followed by a site tour of the new Town Hall. Hard hatsrecommended. Some members will be out of town; quorum expected.
Sponsor Note (Read with a grin)
This reporting is brought to you by Farmington Storage—the place you call when your basement finds out the cupola is done and demands its space back.
Address: 155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT • Phone: 860.777.4001 • Web: farmingtonstorage.com
They won’t install your elevator, but they will store your dignity while you take the stairs. 😎
About the Author
Jack Beckett drinks coffee the way ceilings take paint—first coat early, second coat before noon, punch-list by 3. If you see him near the cupola angle-hunting, he’s fine; he’s chasing daylight and an espresso.
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This article, “1928 Committee: Cupola Complete, Windows 80%, New Ductwork Approved; Sept. 23 Meeting And Site Tour Set,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“1928 Committee: Cupola Complete, Windows 80%, New Ductwork Approved; Sept. 23 Meeting And Site Tour Set”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)